Veils and Head-Scarf’s – About the dress code of Muslims
Q & A Why do some Muslim women wear a veil while others do not? Why cover the head at all with head-scarf’s? What does it all mean? Here are some answers from Muslim women around the world. (With thanks to the River Garden Arts)
Written from a Muslim women’s perspective…
Many people ask me about Islam and what it is like to be a Muslim woman. The question most often asked is about my dress: many say “Why do you wear that head-scarf on your head?”
The whole stereotype that all Muslims are forced to dress like this is completely false. There are some Muslim women who do not choose to cover up, and this is their decision. There are however, many successful Muslim women who do cover up and have managed to become absolutely wonderful in their fields and still maintain the modesty that they chose to uphold.
Q: Why do you dress the way you do?
A: First and foremost, because Allah commands us to do so. In the Qur’an, Allah tells the believers to “lower their gaze and be modest.” Specifically, it says: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their chests and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers…” [continuing list of family members and others in front of whom women are exempt from covering] (Qur’an 24:30-31)
Of course, Muslims believe that Allah has full Wisdom and knows what is best for us, so we strive to follow His guidance in every aspect of our lives. Muslims have also discovered other advantages to dressing modestly, including: being known for who you really are; not being judged by your beauty or lack thereof; being able to conduct business in an atmosphere of respect; being readily known as a Muslim; liberation; comfort.
Q: Aren’t you hot?
A: In many ways, covering the body protects it from the heat of direct sunlight. In loose, flowing clothing, the air around the body flows freely and cools more readily. The choice of fabric covering the body is more important than the square inches/centimeters exposed or covered. On severely hot days, we might be uncomfortable as is everyone else. During those times, we find comfort knowing that we are following the commands of Allah, and “the fire of hell is hotter.”
Q: Do the different colors mean anything?
A: Muslims are to dress in modest clothing, without attracting attention to oneself. For this reason, many Muslims choose earth-tone colors such as green, blue, gray, as well as the usual black and white. Beyond this, there are no specific meanings behind the choice of color. Some colors are more common in certain parts of the world, based on local tradition.
Q: Why are there differences in the specific styles of dress?
A: While Islam outlines a code of modesty, it does not command a certain style, color, or fabric. The range of clothing you find among Muslims is a sign of the great diversity among the Muslim community.
As a Muslim woman, I like knowing when I put on the Jilbab (a dress like an overcoat which covers from the neck down to the feet) that I am totally covered and no one can see what my body looks like. This was a personal decision that I made to cover and I am proud to have made such an important choice for my well being and myself.
Most Muslim women today do not wear a full face veil. It is more common to see women in hijab, loose clothing topped by a type of scarf worn around the head and under the chin. Women don’t share a common style nor have the same reasons for wearing hijab. For many it reflects the belief that they are following God’s commandments, are dressing according to “the correct standard of modesty,” or simply are wearing the type of traditional clothes they feel comfortable in.
Q: Do men have a dress code as well?
A: Absolutely. Both men and women are commanded in the Qur’an to “lower their gaze and be modest.” It is generally understood that men are not to expose the area of their body from the navel to the knee. However, many Muslim men would feel shy to expose a bare chest or bare legs in public. As with women, men are not to wear clothing that is tight or see-through. Indeed, in many Muslim societies the traditional clothing for men includes long, flowing robes, or long tunics that fully cover the body.
Q: What about the legal issue?
A: Regarding the question as to whether countries (examples include France and England) should ban head scarves or not, it is interesting to note how TIME magazine portrayed this issue. Time wrote, “Though the proposed law, which is expected to pass easily, would forbid students from wearing Jewish yarmulkes and large crucifixes, its main purpose is to stop the increasing use of the hijab, or head scarf, among Muslim schoolgirls.”
Well okay and fine, but does any born-again Christian who really reads the Bible honestly believe that Satan wants to ban Muslims from wearing head scarves? Could it be that Satan, who hates God, wants much more to ban Jewish yarmulkes and any signs of the cross he can? The cross and especially the Jewish people are the points of his greatest hatred and animosity. If he can hid it all with something like banning head scarves anywhere, is that not his wisest plan? Let us wake up – Satan does not hate Moslems more than he hates himself, but his fight is against God, not against Muslims. He simply uses everyone as tools of hatred.
Q: What do these Islamic clothing terms mean? Hijab, khimar, niqab, abaya, jilbab, burqa, shalwar khamis…
A: Different terms reflect different styles of dress. Often the same clothing has various names depending on what area of the world it is worn. Here is a list and description of typical clothing worn by many Moslems:
* Hijab – clothing that follows the laws of Allah
* Khimar – triangular or circular head-scarf
* Niqab – facial veil
* Abaya – cloak over garment which covers body
* Jilbab – robe or coat that cover the whole body except head and hands
* Burqa – a garment that covers body from head to toes
* Shalwar khamis – roomy pants with a dress
* Chador – similar to a burqa
* Dupalta – a large shawl
Courtesy of Islam at About.com (opens in a new window)
Video: Women Behind the Abaya
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I do not quite understand the objective of this Christian “30 day prayer” (for Muslim) blog, however I belive that religious tolerance, interfaith dialogues and cordial cooperation to promote understanding between the two faith is the way forward for us to work up. I am a Muslim, and no Muslim is Muslim if he or she doesn’t believe in Jesus. All Muslim believe that Jesus was a Messiah, born miraculously
without a biological father, performed many miracles – cured lepers and the blinds, raised the dead, and many more. The only different is that, Muslim do not believe he is “son of God” because Quran says (in Surah Al-Ikhlas) taht God is NOT like anything, (not even like what we have in mind (imagination). He doesn not have a child or nor being a son of anyone. Therefore God (Allah) is absolutely unique, NOT human (one of his creature, or any of His creature). He is not new (all cretures including universe is ‘new’ in comparison to Him the Creator. Therefore He dosen’t “incarnate” in any forms whatsoever. We can only see Him in the hereafter, in the Day of Judgment. That is the only different between the two “brotherly” believe of the Abrahamic religions. We Muslim do also believe, Torah (Old Testament), Bible (we call Injil) and Quran (the final revelation) are all from the same sources, same God, the Almighty.
The Koran says for muslims not to be friends of Christians and Jews and Satan spoke through muhamad , but when the people objected to the message muhamad gave, he changed his mind. He was a mad man. This koran is a book of garbage that could never have been inspired by God. There will never be peace because of this book. Muslims need to get out off the land of the Jews. They also need address the problems of their own culture and stop blaming the west for the problems that their religion has been unable to solve.
right on…very well put!
Personally, I myself as a Muslim, there is no need to hate each other. We are all human beings. Different people have different personality, culture and faith. Muslim women in my point of view is a lovable mother who will treat their children well as well as respect their husband and create a well strong, motivated, educated and lovable family. Muslim women covering themselves because they feel comfortable and safe. Please respect each other no hatred. Islam is a peace religion
. Have a nice day. (^____^).
I think that Muslim woman need to wake up and realize that only a man could make up such a religion that only inflicts such harsh dress codes on woman. I can’t imagine in the heat having to wear all the clothes you do. Are bodies are beautiful and not meant to be hid. There is nothing gross or unnatural about a woman’s hair or her smile or her arms, etc. I don’t believe we should go around half dressed either but there is nothing wrong with showing your curves. I glory in being a woman and everything about a woman’s body. I love it when a man looks at me adoringly. It makes me smile and know that I have sex appeal. Don’t you want to be looked at with adoration. Why do you not feel safe without all those clothes on you and hiding behind all that garb. I don’t understand a religion that allows men to walk around and tank tops, shorts, sandals and have a woman tagging behind him in a long black garb and sweating so bad you can’t stand near her in public. Why can he show his body off to other woman and you not show your body and be comfortable in warm weather. I have no idea why you allow men to dictate your lives and dictate what you wear or religion. Wake up and smell the coffee, it is burning.
Annoyed that a woman could have such low self esteem that they need clothes to feel secure and to be hid. Don’t let me and religion put you down. Rise and take a stand and do your own thing. God looks at your heart not your outside. Just because Mary covered her head in old das, doens’t mean you have to today. That style is out. Men didn’t wear shorts in the Bible either and Muslim men wear them today.
Hi Chrissy,
Perhaps you should do some more research on the Muslim hijab. Hijab is the women’s style of dressing modestly, particularly by covering their hair and bodies. Actually, many Christian throughout history and even today in various parts of the world cover their heads. Many Muslim and Christian women do this not because they are forced to, but because they choose too. They are rising and taking a stand against popular culture, which tells them they have to dress a certain way in order to get popular attention. If a woman dresses a certain way out of obligation to pop culture, isn’t that just as bad or worse than dressing out of obligation to religion? Actually, I think hijab head scarves are really beautiful; if I were Muslim, I would gladly wear one.
In response to your comment about liking to have sex appeal, I would encourage you to look up 1 Corinthians 8:13, 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, and Matthew 5:28. If they way you dress causes your brother to stumble, you have a problem. I’m not saying you should cover your head and wear a nun’s habit, but do take your brother’s temptation into consideration when picking out your jeans. Of course in saying this, I am assuming you are a Christian since you are obviously not a Muslim and you are on a website for teaching Christians about Muslims. Thanks for reading!
i think muslim women is very kindly, i love you ! i went abord last year, found they were vrey friendly, no probs for us from other country person !
It is interesting that you guys are preaching to the choir really. I think yo should preach to Jews, who dont believe in Jesus at all.
We muslims already believe in Jesus, love and respect him,and follow him. We already follw the supporter whocame after him(Mahomet as read in Aramaic the original language of Jesus). It is you who have veils on your hearts thatyou do not know this or recognize that muslims already love and respect Prophet Jesus who has a lofty status in Islaam. the virgin mary wore the veil and we hence follow her more than you guys do. I pray to Our Father Thou Art in Heaven that christians worship Him the way He deserves to be worshipped: as the true source of salvaton, as THE MOST MERCIFUL being one who is not in need of human sacrifice and above the anthromorphic concept of children and progeny, amen.
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Thanks Rachel, that was gooooood.
Good.
I like your blog, very informative, Thank you.
great site… thanks
If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.
1 Corinthians 11:6
If Bible prohibits women not to disclose her beauty why not islam?????????
Where the christians law vanished? Why dont u follow?
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If muslim women dress just like what their God want its good that mean they having faith or trust in God…DONE!!!They do its because they love their God.For me its very2 nice.I hope i will get married with muslim haha.Pray for me.